we have not heard a word since neither mcconnell. nothing has happened. >> i should note that senator reid was due for a news conference later this afternoon. that has since been canceled. perhaps the senate majority leader has decided to do his talking behind closed doors and hammer out a deal. greg: filled with metaphors, no doubt. what a republican saying about the status of the fiscal cliff negotiations? reporter: they have been pretty quiet so far. we know the speaker of the house and the republican leadership team in the house is due for a conference call with members that are still back in their home districts later this hour. we expect senate republican leader mitch mcconnell to be on the senate floor. the top of the next hour, so we should get some insight from him as well. some of the aides have suggested that eerie read should talk less and legislate more. meanwhile, a house republicans suggested -- well, it's not so good. >> the house is actually extend these tax rates for everybody in the entire country, which is exactly